Blogging

Ghost Embraces ActivityPub and the Fediverse

Neville Hobson

17 Jan 2025 — 4 min read

Yesterday, I shared my decision to move from WordPress to Ghost, a platform designed for writing and blogging simplicity and focus.

In this follow-up post, I want to talk about an exciting feature of Ghost that sets it apart from most other blogging and CMS platforms: its active support for ActivityPub and the Fediverse, technologies that promise to redefine how we connect and engage online. At the heart of this shift lies the potential for more open and interconnected digital communities.

But what does this mean for Ghost users? Let’s explore.

What is the Fediverse?

The Fediverse — short for “federated universe” — is a collection of interconnected, decentralised platforms that communicate using open standards. Unlike traditional social networks and platforms owned by single companies or individuals, the Fediverse comprises independently operated servers that allow users to interact across platforms seamlessly.

Whether you’re using Mastodon, WordPress, Threads, Pixelfed, Ghost, or another connectable service, the Fediverse will let you follow and engage with users on any platform that supports the same protocols.

A simple analogy that will help you understand how it works is email. Think about that: no matter what email app you use – whether it’s Gmail, Outlook, or any of the myriad email apps available across many different platforms – you can send an email message to anyone who has an email address, and it will get to them no matter what the app or platform.

That’s thanks to protocols supported by all those different apps and platforms. Just like email, the Fediverse ensures that content from Ghost can seamlessly reach audiences across multiple platforms, thanks to ActivityPub.

What is ActivityPub?

ActivityPub is the open protocol that powers much of the Fediverse. It acts as a standard way for different platforms to communicate, enabling posts, likes, comments, and other interactions to flow freely between them. For example, a user on Ghost can follow a creator on Pixelfed, and their interactions work as if they were on the same platform.

That principle applies to all of the examples I mentioned earlier, and many more.

It’s worth mentioning that WordPress also supports ActivityPub through a plugin. But, my experience highlights a significant limitation: ActivityPub could not be enabled on my self-hosted WordPress blogs because my hosting service Siteground would not support it (and it is an issue only at this third-party level, not with WordPress itself). This makes Ghost’s native support for ActivityPub a clear advantage for creators seeking seamless integration.

All This Matters Because…

The rise of ActivityPub and the Fediverse represents a significant departure from the centralised control of traditional platforms. Instead of being locked into a single ecosystem, you can now enjoy more freedom and ownership over your online presence, even moving from one different platform to another, taking your identity (your user name or handle) and all your followers with you when you go.

Another noteworthy approach is the AT Protocol, developed by Bluesky. Like ActivityPub, it supports decentralised integration, aiming for interoperability between platforms. Although the AT Protocol is gaining traction, ActivityPub remains the most widely supported standard, making it the current backbone of the Fediverse.

These shifts encourage innovation, transparency, and the building of diverse online communities.

Ghost’s Support for ActivityPub

Ghost, known for its focus on empowering independent creators, began integrating ActivityPub last year to connect its platform with the Fediverse. This means:

Enhanced Discoverability: Ghost blogs can now become part of the Fediverse, making it easier for users on other Fediverse-connected platforms to find and follow your content directly.
Interconnected Engagement: Posts from your Ghost blog can appear in Fediverse timelines, where users can like, share, and comment on them without leaving their own platform. Imagine a Mastodon user discovering your blog and engaging with your posts directly.
Decentralised Communication: By embracing ActivityPub, Ghost aligns with the principles of openness and decentralisation, providing its users with more control over their content.

What This Means for Ghost Users

For creators like me using Ghost, ActivityPub integration opens up exciting new opportunities:

Reach a Wider Audience: Your content is no longer confined to your blog’s domain. Instead, it can circulate freely across the Fediverse.
Build Communities Across Platforms: Engage with audiences wherever they are, without needing to maintain multiple accounts or duplicate efforts.
Stay Ahead of the Curve: As interest in decentralised platforms grows, Ghost users will be well-positioned to leverage the benefits of this emerging ecosystem.

The Future is Open

With ActivityPub integration, Ghost empowers creators to transcend traditional platform boundaries. By embracing decentralisation, you can connect with a wider audience, build vibrant communities, and maintain control over your content.

It’s a transformative step for online publishing, and it aligns perfectly with the ethos of simplicity and focus that drew me to Ghost.

If you’re curious about how ActivityPub and the Fediverse could enhance your blogging experience, now is the perfect time to explore. Ghost’s support for these technologies ensures you can be part of this new era of connectivity while continuing to focus on what you do best: creating great content.

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